A snowmobile is only as safe as the driver. The key to safe operation is knowing the machine, good judgment and courtesy. Your snowmobile’s safety features should be kept in good working order. Do not modify your machine. Make sure that the throttle, brake, steering and light systems all function properly. Never operate your machine unless the hood and the guards are in place and firmly attached. If your machine is equipped with an emergency switch, check its operation.

Always carry the minimum safety equipment: a tool kit, a knife, spark plugs, drive belt, first aid kit, rope, waterproof matches, a flashlight and an extra ignition key. Add more items to this list for long or night snowmobile trips.

Always play safe with children aboard. Go slowly with young passengers. Exert extra care. Avoid side hills and broken terrain. See that the child firmly grips the handles and protectively sits with both feet on the running boards.

Check frequently to make sure the child is riding correctly. Always position small children so they can be watched.

When carrying tots or any other passengers, smooth starts and stops are required. A fast start could result in a whiplash injury to the passenger seated behind you or in the tow sled. You have the benefit of knowing about the start and also the additional support of your grip on the handle bars. Your passenger can only rely on your careful and safe machine operation. Use moderate speeds. Too much speed over a bump could result in a serious back injury to a passenger. Warn your passenger of dangerous branches or low hanging limbs that must be avoided. Be certain passengers are warmly dressed.

Arctic Cat Customers Now Able to Shop Online

Arctic Cat Inc. has launched its Parts, Garments and Accessories online store at www.arcticcat.com for the United States market. Consumers now have the convenient option of shopping online for a full range of Arctic Cat products. These orders may be delivered to homes or a nearby Arctic Cat dealer. Arctic Cat expects to expand the e-commerce site to accommodate Canadian shoppers by late summer.
“We are excited to offer consumers the speed and convenience of our new online store, which will provide access to Arctic Cat’s products and product information at any time,” said Mary Ellen Walker, vice president and general manager of Arctic Cat’s PG&A division. “Our dealers will also benefit by receiving online orders without making the investment in building their own internet store.”

From dirt to snow, Arctic Cat is making online shopping easier to match the perfect product to enthusiasts’ riding style and machine. The benefits of Arctic Cat’s online store include:
• Convenient 24-7 shopping: Online orders are fulfilled within 24 hours, enabling consumers to receive their order within three to five days.
• Easy navigation and product search functions: Parts may be located by category, model year or model name, color or size.
• Secure, confidential and reliable: Built-in security measures protect consumers’ information. The system currently accepts payment with Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and PayPal.
• For dealer pick-up orders, consumers simply choose a dealership within a 150-mile radius where they will pick up their order.

Two new mobile phone apps developed by Polaris Industries have hit the market for Apple iPhone/iPad and Android phones/tablets. The new mobile apps combine Weather Nation’s interactive weather services with Google-based maps to enhance the riding experience for snowmobilers.